Kenya: Malkia Strikers Start African Title Hunt Against Rwanda in Cameroon

16 August 2023
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Alex Isaboke

Nairobi — National women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers will serve off their hunt for the African title on Wednesday afternoon with a duel against Eastern Africa neighbors Rwanda, after the draw for the competition was conducted Tuesday night.

Malkia have been drawn in a manageable Pool B and will take on Rwanda in the opening game, before also facing on neighbors Uganda, Morocco, Burkina Faso and Lesotho.

It will be a quick turnaround meet up against the Rwandese after the two sides faced off in a friendly match in Yaounde on Tuesday evening, in which Kenya won 3-0.

Malkia, coached by Brazilian tactician Coach Luizomar de Moura won the game 25-14, 27-25, 25-14.

The team travelled to Yaounde after a healthy pre-tournament preparation that saw them camp in Morocco as well as playing in the FIVB Challenger Series in France.

"From Morocco all the way to Yaounde, preparations have been good. From today's friendly, I am confident that the squad is ready and this win gives us confidence," assistant coach Paul Bitok said after Tuesday's friendly match.

Meanwhile, Bitok says hosts Cameroon and Egypt, who are returning to the competition this year, pose the biggest threat to Malkia's claim to the African throne.

The two have been drawn in a tough Group A which also has Algeria, Nigeria, Burundi and Mali.

"Both teams are very strong and we have to be intentional in how we play them," said Bitok.

Meanwhile, star opposite hitter Sharon Chepchumba might miss the opening game of the tournament against Rwanda after picking an ankle sprain during the Rwanda friendly.

Despite her absence, Bitok still remains confident the team has a good back up plan and will be hugely competitive.

"We have been preparing for such an eventuality as this is part of sports and I am impressed with how Simiyu performed after settling in. We also have several other players who can switch positions if need be able to adjust," Bitok explained.

The African championship will be crucial for Kenya as it also acts in accruing points necessary to qualify for next year's Olympic Games in Paris.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 Capital FM. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.